Slumdog Millionaire Wins Big at the Baftas
Danny Boyle's Mumbai Masterpiece Takes Home 7 BAFTAs
Feb 9, 2009
Danny Boyle (Trainspotting, The Beach) has astounded critics and audiences alike with his latest, greatest film Slumdog Millionaire. Based on the book Q and A by Vikas Swarup, Slumdog Millionaire is often described as a “feel-good” movie, but that is not all it is. Boyle delved deep into Mumbai street life to portray a story that is, at times, almost unbearable. There's beatings, death and horrifying scenes of child labour in the film, and yet it still manages to convey feelings of warmth and even humour amongst the children of the slums.
Realism and Romance in Slumdog Millionaire
The film dances along on a whirlwind ride, encompassing a gamut of emotions from anger and pity to pure joy. Most of all, the journey is told with a hope and positivity that lifts the spirits. Boyle and screenwriter Simon Beaufoy have between them achieved a drama which whilst true to life is anything but gritty. There's a dusting of fantasy and romance, and yet enough realism to keep viewers absolutely gripped. Perhaps that is why the film has gone down such a storm.
The Baftas
Slumdog Millionaire was awarded seven Baftas at last nights glittering ceremony in London:
- Best Director – Danny Boyle
- Best Film – Christian Colson
- Adapted Screenplay – Simon Beaufoy
- Music – A.R. Rahman
- Cinematography – Anthony Dod Mantle
- Editing – Chris Dickens
- Sound – Glenn Freemantle, Resul Pookuty, Richard Pryke, Tom Sayers, Ian Tapp
Other Bafta Winners
The other winners of note at the 2009 British Academy Film Awards were as follows:
- Leading Actor – Mickey Rourke for The Wrestler
- Leading Actress – Kate Winslett for The Reader
- Original Screenplay – In Bruge
- Film Not in the English Language – I've Loved You So Long
- Animated Film – Wall-E
- Supporting Actor – Heath Ledger for The Dark Knight
- Supporting Actress – Penelope Cruz for Vicky Cristina Barcelona
- Outstanding British Film – Man on Wire
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button also won Baftas for production design, hair and make up, and special visual effects. The prestigious Orange Rising Star award went to Noel Clarke, and the Carl Foreman Award (for special achievement on a British film debut) went to director Steve McQueen for Hunger.
Terry Gilliam Bafta Fellowship
Pinewood and Shepperton studios were honoured for their Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema, and finally that crazy, wonderful, incredible man responsible for such brilliant cinema as Twelve Monkeys, The Fisher King, Brazil, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas and Time Bandits was accepted into the fold. Yes, Terry Gilliam was awarded the 2009 Academy Fellowship. See what he has to say about it here at the Baftas site.
Further Reading: Check out who won what at the World Cinema Awards and, if Slumdog Millionaire has you feeling inspired, try this How to Write a Screenplay article.
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